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Penn & Teller: Bulls--t!

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Where to watch: Showtime, DVD, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Unscientific debunking for laughs; adult material.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Uses humor and questionable science to attack ideas, institutions, and widely cherished beliefs.

  • Violence:

    When the topic calls for it, the imagery pulls few punches.

  • Sex:

    Full frontal near-nudity and sexual topics -- in some episodes.

  • Language:

    Major league cursing in many scenes: "f--k," "ass," "s--t," and so on.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The dangers of secondhand smoke were downplayed in one episode.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Penn & Teller: Bulls--t!

Parents need to know that this show is a comedy -- it is as much about humor as it is about "reality." It's less about establishing fact than it is a platform for name-calling, showmanship, and the hosts' views. Its target audience will find it hilarious, while its targets may well find themselves ambushed. Also, while some episodes are rated TV-14, others have had ratings for more mature audiences -- you may want to check before you view.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the nature of skepticism, and how facts are proven or disproved. What's the difference between an opinion and a fact? How could you go about investigating something for yourself? What types of sources are more credible than others? Why? Also, does the show want viewers to laugh with people who hold the views being debunked, or at them? Can we disagree with or laugh about an idea without laughing at (or disrespecting) those who believe in it?
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